I'm working on a counter-proposal for the Drakensberg cableway and am trying to get some stats on alternative attractions.

Somewhere in the Berg (I won't specify where, although VE, BergFree and berg.co.za all have some clues) there is a site called "Dinosaur Cave". Whether or not it is a protected site at the moment isn't clear, but people who know where it is don't like sharing!

The cave has a few fossilized dinosaur footprints and was found in the 70's.

So the question is:
1) Did you know that it exists?
2) If its not a protected site/if you went with a guide who was authorised to take you there, would you go? Its about a 15km walk with 500m of total altitude gain (you can overnight in tents nearby).

Thanks - these stats are really helpful

"There is something fundamentally wrong in treating the Earth as if it were a business in liquidation." Herman E Daly

1. Nope, did not know it exist
2. If I knew where it was I would go there myself; no guides

Are you aware of a proper and organised challenge to the cableway? MCSA or any other organisations?

In terms of opposing the cableway, it is important to try and:
Have a collective, unified and consistent challenge i.e. one big punch and not a bunch of small voices objecting
Media and social networks are great ways to stir public opposition to an idea
We need to know if we have grounds to make a legal challenge & the resources to do it (MCSA?)

mokganjetsi wrote:Are you aware of a proper and organised challenge to the cableway? MCSA or any other organisations?
..... We need to know if we have grounds to make a legal challenge & the resources to do it (MCSA?)

My understanding is that currently only a "feasibility study" study (presumably an economic study) has been done. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) would be the next logical step. I speak under correction but no notice of such an EIA process has yet been sent out. I am sure the MCSA (via the KZN section and potentially on a national level too) will register as an interested and affected party when the time comes and provide input into the process in that way.

It does make sense though to not wait for the slow wheels of bureaucracy and for those that feel strongly about this issue to as you say form an organised challenge to the proposed development.

I went to the Dino Caves as a kid, and so my memory is a little fuzzy on it, but I am sure they are in Giants Castle, in the foothills before the camp, up the left side. steep climb. They are strange in that the footprints are on he roof of the cave. Don't expect to see T- Rex footprints though, more like the little guys he used to clean his teeth with.

One does need special permission to go to the caves, and an escort as the cave are locked ( well, were in the 90's) but they are well worth a visit.

The EIA seems to have been incorporated into the feasibility. It is appauling - they basically said hikers are responsible for all the erosion in the Drakensberg, and a cableway would get us off trails and thus prevent erosion. Plenty of grounds to attack that view!

I agree that we need a united front, not a fragmented attack from various corners. VE has been going at this for ages, both myself and Chris (who runs the site) have been quoted in newspapers.

Giant's Castle is about right. There hasn't been a fence there for ages though. The footprints are definitely in the floor - although it is possible that we are talking about different sites. Check it at http://www.berg.co.za/dinosaur_cave.htm

"There is something fundamentally wrong in treating the Earth as if it were a business in liquidation." Herman E Daly